Allergan and Polyphor enter into license agreement

Allergan has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Switzerland-based Polyphor to conduct research into compounds which would be suitable for release into the eye using drug delivery systems (DDS).

The companies will team up to study possibilities that could then be used with Allergan’s DDS range.

As part of the deal, Allergan will obtain the rights to the development of protein epitope mimetics (PEM) cytokine inhibitors for the treatment of eye diseases and conditions.

And if compounds pass the research stage, the company will progress with them through clinical development.

Polyphor chief executive officer Dr Jean-Pierre Obrecht said the agreement was an “important milestone”.

“I am delighted,” he explained. “Allergan’s outstanding expertise and experience will allow us to explore the full therapeutic and commercial potential of PEM inhibitors in ophthalmology.”

The end of last month saw Allergan announce an agreement with Spectrum Pharmaceuticals to collaborate on Apaziqupne, which is currently being investigated for use as a treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Spectrum is currently running two clinical trials at phase III stage to explore the drug’s efficacy and safety.